Hand hold for aeroplanes and the like



Aug. 13, 1935.

R. G. NIGHTINGALE HAND HOLD FOR AEROPLANES AND THE LIKE Filed July "I, 1955 22 r 3 I 1 1 El (6 a INVENTOR.

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ATTORNEYJ,

Patented Aug. 13, 1935 HAND HOLD FOR AERoPLANEs AND THE LIKE r FATENT OFFICE "fltobert G.'N ightii1gale, Baltimore, Md., assignor to RobertJ. Nightingale, Cleveland, Ohio Application; Julyi, .1933, serial no. 679,371 Claims, (01. 15-124) This invention relates as indicated to hand holds, but is directedmore particularly to a novel hand hold especially adapted for use in aeroplanes and the like. 4

An object of the invention is to provide a hand hold of the character described which may be easily incorporated in various parts of the aeroplane structure and which will offer a mini-.

mum degree of resistance to the flow of air past such parts when the aeroplane is in flight. Another object of the invention is toprovide a hand hold of the character described, which, when not in use, is covered in such manner as to effectively prevent the access thereinto of dirt, dust, water, etc.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims; the annexed drawing and the following description setting forth in detail one product exemplifying my invention, such disclosed product constituting, however, but one of various applications of the principle of my invention.

In said annexed drawing:-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an aeroplane showing the hand hold of the present'invention incorporated in various parts thereof; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the hand hold; Fig. 3 is a crosssectional View of the hand hold, taken on the plane indicated by the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the hand hold, taken on the plane indicated by the line 4 --4 of Fig. 2.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the hand hold is designated generally by the reference character H, and may be incorporated in various parts of the aeroplane structure. In Fig. l, I have shown a pair of such hand holds in the upper wing of the aeroplane and so disposed as to enable the pilot to raise himself from the cockpit seat. Hand holds of a similar character are also shown in the wing tips. fuselage, etc.

The hand hold comprises a member I having a central recessed portion 2, which is adapted to receive the fingers of the hand, and is disposed below the streamline of the upper surface of the erencehas been made, is a rectangular frame 4, the sides 5 of which overhang the recess in the member I for a purpose to be presently described. Secured to the rear marginal portion of the member l is a hinge plate 6, on which is mounted a hinge pin I. Pivotally mounted on the hinge pin 1 is a cover plate 8, which is normally urged to the streamline of the upper surface ofthe wing W by means of a spring 9 secured to the member I and disposed at one side of the recess therein. The sides 5 of the frame 4 which overhang the recess in the member i serve as stops for limiting the upward pivotal movement of the coverplate 8. i

In the use of the hand hold, the fingers will engage the ledge 3 thereof, the cover plate being incidentally depressed by the tips of the fingers against the resistance of the spring 9 and to the position indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 2. It will be noted that the ledge 3 is of an arcuate cross-section corresponding to the are described by the edge ll] of the cover plate during the depression thereof, and that such edge literally sweeps the ledge. Consequently, it is virtually impossible for the tips of the fingers to be caught between the ledge and the cover plate.

By providing a cover plate which is normally disposed in the streamline surface or other part of the aeroplane structure, I not only eliminate the resistance to the passage of air which would otherwise be offered by the depressed portion 2 of the hand hold, but avoid the entry of dirt, dust, water, etc., into the hand hold, which foreign substances would decrease or destroy the usefulness of the hand hold.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the product herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. A handhold for aeroplanes and the like comprising a unitary member having a recessed central portion which is closed at the bottom and one side of which forms a ledge which is free from overhanging flanges or other obstructions and is adapted to be engaged by the fingers during the use of the handhold, a plate mounted for pivotal movement with respect to said member and adapted to normally lie substantially flush with the surface of the aeroplane part to which it is secured so as to cover the opening of the recessed portion of said member, and to be detween the ledge and the free edge of the plate.

2. A handhold for aeroplanes and the like comprising a unitary member having a recessed portion which is closed at the bottom and one side of which forms a ledge which is free from overhanging flanges or other obstructions and'is adapted to be engaged by the fingers. during the use of the handhold, a cover plate for said re- 'cessed portion hingedly mounted on said member and adapted to be depressed. into said recess incidentally to the use of the handhold, a frame secured to said member having side portions overhanging the recess and forming stops for said cover plate, and spring means for normally urging the cover plate into engagement with said stops.

3. A handhold for aeroplanes and the like comprising a unitary member having a recessed central portion which is closed at the bottom and one side of which is formed to provide a ledge free from overhanging flanges or other obstructions and adapted to be engaged by the fingers during the use of the handhold, a cover plate for said recessed portion pivotally mounted on said member at the side of said member opposite said ledge, said cover plate adapted to be depressed into said recess incidentally to the use of the handhold and to sweep the ledge during such inward movement, a frame secured to said member having side portions overhanging the recess and forming stops to limit the outward movement of "said cover plate, and a spring for normally urging the cover plate into engagement with said stops, said spring being disposed between said bottom and cover plate and under one of the overhanging side portions of said frame.

ROBERT G. NIGHTINGALE. 

